Lessons from Nehemiah 7

Truth be told, there wasn't much for me this morning in the passage from Nehemiah. It is a listing of the exiles returning. There is great hope in this though. God uses a variety of persons with a variety of personalities to lead. Nehemiah was called to lead and was successful for a multitude of reasons. All of these persons listed in the passage have reason to thank God and Nehemiah.

As a leader, my goal isn't to seek after the thanks of others. It's to ensure that I am leading as God calls me to lead. This will entail making difficult decisions. It will mean that I have to admit there are times when I need help.

Just a few thoughts this morning.

My Boys

Here are my boys. The joy of my life. Last night was a great night. I was able to take the three youngest (Colten is at the beach with Pa having a great time fishing everyday) swimming with a friend and his 3 children. We had a great time but I am paying for it. 2 1/2 hours of swimming with 6 children 8 and under throwing themselves at you and expecting you to throw them can cause pain in a 35 year old body. It was worth it.

Vacation Time

We are leaving for vacation in just a couple of days. We will be spending the week back home in Florida. I will begin posting again after next week.

Lessons from Nehemiah 6

This morning, I was thankful for the timeliness of the passage. In verse 9 "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."

The context of this passage is Sanballat is trying to discourage the completion of the wall. As a leader in the church, I am all too familiar with discouragement. Discouragement comes from many different places. In my life it has come from people within the church. It has come through a personal battle with depression. It has come from many other places.

When persons decide to step up for leadership it is important to know and expect discouragement. One note, just because you are discouraged doesn't mean you are on the wrong path. It may simply mean that it's time to refocus or in the case of my church repackage what you are planning to do.

Just my thoughts this morning

Lessons from Nehemiah 5

This morning, my post will be brief. We are in the midst of Vacation Bible School. It's our most successful year ever so far.

Here is what I saw. In Nehemiah 5 there is a struggle going on regarding the poor having to be enslaved and sell their properties. As governor Nehemiah faced a great challenge. In verse 16 though it reveals his heart and the heart that is necessary for leaders in the church and outside of the church.

Vs. 16 "...We did not acquire land." Nehemiah's behavior as governor was based on service not opportunism. I think that too often we get this changed around. We focus on the opportunity to get rather than joy of serving.

Just my thoughts!

Let's Get Naked!

This morning, I am preaching on two passages...Luke 7:36-50 & Psalm 5. My message is entitled...Let's Get Naked! (Or as we say here in the south...neckid) :)

It's a simple premise...God desires that we live authentically before him. When we live authentically, then and only then can we live a life of purpose. Then and only then can we experience the joy of life. Unfortunately, too many of us often stop short. We settle for a routine faith, a routine life.

David said "Give ear to my words..." The woman wept at Christ's feet. Both were dissatisfied with the routine of life. They wanted more. They refused to hide from God their true selves. Unlike Adam and Eve. They hid their brokenness. These two persons refused. Their lives were transformed.

I find it interesting that many of us try to live in such a way to protect God from our true selves. As if God doesn't know our struggles. When we live in this inauthentic way we move from a dynamic faith to a routine faith.

It's my belief that the more we reveal to God; the more we celebrate life.
It's my belief that the more we reveal to God; the more our earthly relationships will be changed.
It's my belief that the more we reveal to God; the more our lives transforms inwardly and outwardly.

Don't settle for the routine. Routinely get naked before God.

Just a few thoughts

Lessons from Nehemiah 4

This mornings devotional came from Nehemiah 4. While I read the entire chapter, verses 10-14 stood out to me. This is what I noticed...as a leader in the church there will be times when the forces fighting against you will be just as strong on the inside as they are on the outside.

In this portion; Judah is speaking against their abilities to continue building the wall. Too often in the church growth arena many persons give up far too quickly. They give up quickly because they either don't see the response to their efforts; they haven't fully embraced the vision or they don't understand the necessity of laying a solid foundation before moving forward.

As a leader it is vital to continually share the vision. If the people see the vision it will help tune their eyes to a future goal where they will begin to see the fruits of their labor. It will also help them connect to the building of the foundation.

These are just my thoughts.